Unit 3: Capillary Collection Mastery

Back to Course Catalog
Course Objectives
  1. Perform fingerstick, heelstick, and DBS procedures safely and accurately,
  2. Explain the purpose and clinical relevance of capillary sampling.
  3. Identify when to use capillary vs venous collection methods,
  4. Troubleshoot flow issues and prevent contamination or errors,
  5. Apply CLSI, OSHA, and infection-control standards.

Course Content
Course Creator: Nichelle Volker RMA
Total CE Hours: 1.5 Credit Hours 
Pace Course #: 586-2615-26

Key terms:
  • Capillary blood
  • Arterial blood
  • Venous blood
  • Interstitial fluid
  • Lancet
  • Micro-collection device
  • POCT
  • DBS

Outline:
  • Introduction
    • Define capillary collection
      • What, how, who, why
    •  Use in modern practice
    •  Phlebotomist role
    •  Overview of techniques
  •  Overview of capillary and venous structures and function
  • The capillary network
    •  Capillary blood 
    • Capillary blood composition impacts to labs
    •  Blood flow differences in heel and fingertips
    •  Key differences in veins and capillaries
    •  Microcirculation and perfusion
    •  Technique impacts to samples
    •  Pressure and flow direction 
  • Comparative analysis of blood collection methods
    • When to use capillary sampling
    •  Capillary vs venous sampling
    •  How to choose
    •  Demographic influences 
    • Test validation
    •  When not to use capillary collection
    •  Adapting techniques 
      • Scenario: choosing the right method
      •  Scenario: IV fluids and BMP
      •  Scenario: Wellness event
  • Equipment and Supplies
    • Lancets
      • Types
      •  Depth settings
    •  Collection devices
      • Capillary tubes
      •  Micro-tainers
      •  DBS
    • Ancillary 
      • Warming tools
      • Antiseptics
      • Other
    • Innovations and advancements
      • Safety lancets
      •  Automated micro-collection devices
      •  Smart capillary devices
  • Fingerstick collections 
    • Preparation
    •  Collection
    •  Order of draw
    •  Troubleshooting 
      • No blood flow
      •  Slow or interrupted flow
      •  Tissue fluid contamination 
      • Hemolysis
      •  Clotting in tube
  • Heelstick Collections
    • Neonatal and infant collections
      • Why/when these collections are performed
    •  Heel anatomy
    •  Safe zones
    •  Unsafe zones
      • Possible injuries
    •  Step-by-step procedure
    •  Heel warming
    •  Phlebotomist duties
  •  DBS 
    • Overview, history and current relevance
    •  Collection techniques 
    • Modern applications
  •  Quality, Safety, Key takeaways 
    • CLSI
    •  OSHA
    •  Documentation
    •  Mastery
    •  Key Takeaways
 
References: 
  1. Eaton, E. K. (2022). A Fundamental Guide To Phlebotomy (1st ed.). NHCO-National Healthcare Organization Organization.
  2. Kinshella, A. L. (2025). The Foundations Of Modern Phlebotomy (1st edition). Intelvio, LLC.
  3. (2025, February 24). Best practices in capillary blood collection. Medical Laboratory Observer. Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.mlo-online.com/diagnostics/specimen-collection/article/21206382/best-practices-in-capillary-blood-collection
  4. (2025, April 18). Comparing Venous vs. Capillary Blood Collection Methods for Proteomic Measurement in Peripheral Blood. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.mlo-online.com/diagnostics/specimen-collection/article/21206382/best-practices-in-capillary-blood-collection
  5. (n.d.). The microcirculation in perioperative medicine: A narrative review. Science Direct. Retrieved October 10, 2025, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007091223005883
  6. (n.d.). Microcirculation. Department Of Anaesthetics- School Of Clinical Medicine South Africa. Retrieved October 11, 2025, from https://anaesthetics.ukzn.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Microcirculation-Ref-2023.pdf
  7. (n.d.). Hemolyzed Specimens: Major Challenge for Identifying and Rejecting Specimens in Clinical Laboratories. National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved October 11, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6425048/#
  8.  WHO Guidelines on Drawing Blood: Best Practices in Phlebotomy. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010. 7, Capillary sampling. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138654/
  9.  (n.d.). Supplemental Newborn Screen, Blood Spot. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/82594#
  10. (n.d.). Capillary sampling. National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138654/
  11. (n.d.). Evaluation of the Tasso+ blood self-collection device for quantitation of plasma cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNAemia in adult solid organ transplant recipients (SOTr). National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11218524/#
  12. (n.d.). Point-of-Care Glucose Testing Market – By Product Type (Lancing Devices, Test Strips, Blood-Glucose Meter), End-use (Hospital, Clinics, Home Care Settings, Diagnostic Centers) – Global Forecast, 2024 – 2032. Global Market Insights. Retrieved October 12, 2025, from https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/point-of-care-glucose-testing-market
  13. (2024, September 12). Heel Sticks. Medscape. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1413486-overview?form=fpf
  14. (n.d.). Systematic Review of Heel Puncture-Related Osteomyelitis of the Calcaneus in Newborn Infants. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11098976/
  15. (n.d.). Warming Prior to Heel Stick Blood Sample Quality and Infant Comfort. Advances In Neonatal Care. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/fulltext/2023/12000/warming_prior_to_heel_stick__blood_sample_quality.18.aspx#
  16.  (n.d.). A simple phenylalanine method for detecting phenylketonuria in large populations of newborn infants, by Robert Guthrie and Ada Susi, Pediatrics,. National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9651440/
  17. (n.d.). Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques. National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4397000/#
  18. (n.d.). Whatman Protein Saver Cards for Storage and Detection of Parasitic Enteropathogens. National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6283500/#
  19. (n.d.). Current Status of Newborn Bloodspot Screening Worldwide 2024: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Activities (2020–2023). National Library Of Medicine. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11203842/
  20. (n.d.). Protecting Astronaut Health with the Prick of a Finger. NASA. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/protecting-astronaut-health-with-the-prick-of-a-finger/

© All Rights Reserved
PhlebCE.com 2024

Company
Learn More
Legal
Connect with us